Triple-Flow Turbomachine Heat Exchanger for Accessible Cooling Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
The integration of a heat exchanger in the third flow of a three-flow turbomachine poses challenges related to assembly, accessibility, operation, and overall mass, particularly due to thermal expansion and the need for additional fixation, which are not adequately addressed by existing designs like the 'brick' type exchanger.
Innovation Solution
A turbomachine design featuring a heat exchanger with a flange fixed to an internal casing, incorporating a fire wall and structural shroud that provides thermal insulation and support, allowing for efficient cooling without adding mass and ensuring safety and ease of maintenance, while minimizing aerodynamic disturbances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a heat exchanger is integrated into the tertiary flow of a three-flow turbomachine, then effective cooling is achieved in a confined space, but assembly and maintenance accessibility become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger is segmented into a body and a separate downstream part that can be assembled together. This segmentation allows the heat exchanger to be installed in the confined tertiary flow space while maintaining accessibility for assembly and maintenance operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The downstream part of the heat exchanger serves multiple functions: it acts as a structural component, provides attachment points for the fire wall, and facilitates maintenance accessibility. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components in the confined space.
2Temperature
If a heat exchanger is integrated into the tertiary flow, then cooling function is achieved, but thermal expansion constraints and additional fixation mass are required
Solution Approach 1:
The fire wall is merged with the downstream part of the heat exchanger, combining thermal protection and structural support functions into a single integrated component. This eliminates the need for separate fixation structures, reducing overall mass while providing both cooling support and thermal protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The downstream part and fire wall are designed as integrated composite structures that provide both mechanical support for thermal expansion and fire protection. This composite approach reduces the need for additional fixation mass while addressing both thermal expansion constraints and safety requirements.
3Reliability
If a fire wall is separately attached to protect against fire propagation, then safety is improved, but overall mass and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fire wall is integrated with the downstream part of the heat exchanger, combining fire protection and structural functions into a single component. This reduces device complexity by eliminating separate fixation structures while maintaining fire safety through the attached fire wall.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design facilitates assembly and disassembly, reduces mass and manufacturing costs, optimizes energy efficiency, and reduces fuel consumption by positioning the heat exchanger in the tertiary flow vein without obstructing airflow, thereby minimizing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger disposed in the tertiary flow vein
Implementation Method 2
cooling the oil of the lubrication circuit
Implementation Method 3
a fire wall forming a thermal shield attached to the downstream part
Data Source
AI summary
A turbomachine includes a first separation lip capable of separating an incoming air flow into a radially internal air flow and a secondary air flow; a second separation lip capable of separating the radially internal air flow into a primary flow and a tertiary flow traveling through a tertiary flow vein radially external to a primary flow vein traveled by the primary flow; a heat exchanger arranged in the tertiary flow vein; and an internal casing. The exchanger includes a body and a flange extending radially internally and projecting from the body, the flange being fixed to the internal casing, the exchanger including downstream of the flange, a downstream part to which is attached a fire wall forming a heat shield.